*BS*Following the success of Nicky Deverdics’ question and answer evening, goalkeeper Mitch Walker took the reins of the Dover Athletic Twitter account last Friday to spend some time interacting with the DAFC fans. Even Whites’ Goalkeeping Coach Lee Hook got in on the action, along with many Dover fans.*BF*

In this edition of the ‘Ask A White’ feature, Mitch reveals his favourite achievement with the club, who he likes to sit next to on the coach, his skills in the kitchen, and much more.

Below is the transcript from the 2nd Q&A Twitter session. Be sure to look out for an upcoming evening of the ‘Ask A White’ feature with another player ready to take your questions!

*BS*@GP__Tips: Mitch, if you were not a goalie what position would you play and why?*BF*
MW: Definitely a striker, as if you score a goal you is a hero. I beat Raggs (Sean Raggett) in a penalty shoot-out in training, so he would fight my case.

*BS*@DavyJoeGrant: Best achievement you’ve accomplished with Dover?*BF*
MW: Being the first team to finish 5th in the Conference South and get promoted the way we did. We were up against all the odds but we came out on top.

*BS*@jackosullivan01: What do you think of the club’s new training facilities?*BF*
MW: Very good. Some of the mud fields we were in before weren’t exactly the best. Also, we don’t have to strap our phones to our head to get some light at the new training ground!

*BS*@connorjwathen: What was the best game you have played for Dover?*BF*
MW: Tough one, but I’d probably say Sutton away in the playoff semi-final. I felt I made important saves. And to go on and win 3-0 was an outstanding effort by everyone involved.

*BS*@DoverAFC: Who do you sit next to on the bus/plane and why?*BF*
MW: Everyone, we all get along well. Although I try to avoid Tom Wynter, you always have to be alert around him!

*BS*@anthonyfuller9: If you hadn’t taken up football earlier what other career would you like to have taken up? (Not fishing either)*BF*
MW: A city banker. I got a C in Maths so I think I could see myself in a snazzy office in London somewhere.

*BS*@kalaharidave: We have the best 2 keepers in the league: what problems & benefits does that create & are you both happy with this?*BF*
MW: Honestly, it’s hard to keep 2 keepers happy. That said, me and Hooky get along very well (!!) Raffs (Andy Rafferty) is a top keeper and is capable of playing in this league and higher up, we get along well and push each other in training to get the best out of each other, which is healthy.

*BS*@jmpmnp: What do you think of all the money in the game now, from the top, down to conference south? Player’s perspective.*BF*
MW: It’s a little bit stupid, especially in the higher leagues. But that said, the fans and the public are what generate most of the funds available, so it will start to disappear when the public get bored of football – which will probably be never!

*BS*@pktsmith: I’m cooking homemade lasagne, what’s your favourite homemade dish?*BF*
MW: I make a mean steak and Guinness pie, and Spanish paella!

*BS*@GP__Tips: Mitch, as a player, is the prolonged transfer window something you relish or dread?*BF*
MW: In this league I don’t think it makes too much difference, But I’m hoping Arsene Wenger has a last minute trick up his sleeve!

*BS*@young_gun180: Top man. What I want to know is who travels the longest distance to play for Dover? And how long does it take you?*BF*
MW: I think Sam Magri, as he is Portsmouth way. It’s about 90 miles for me so around 1hr45 mins – 2 hours.

*BS*@dovermowl: Would you like to swap positions with Ricky Miller? If so, would you score more than he conceded?*BF*
MW: Definitely! I’d be like Dennis Bergkamp playing up front.

*BS*@leehooky: Is it true you have a wonderful coach and Dover has the three best keepers in the league?*BF*
MW: If you want a coach who can’t cross a ball & is due his free bus pass in a few years, then yes he is great!

*BS*@andymikey8: Who at the club has had the wackiest hair style?*BF*
MW: Orlu has a great afro, curly vibe going on, on his back! I think he conditions it to keep it looking fresh.

*BS*@jackosullivan01: Kids grow up generally wanting to be strikers – they get the headlines – what made you want to be a goalkeeper?*BF*
MW: My Dad and Grandad both played in goal and reached county level for Essex. So when I was young, I wanted to follow in their footsteps.

*BS*@peter_ray79: I remember, and watched you play for BHAFC, when you left, what made you decide to join Dover?*BF*
MW: Nicky Forster made it clear he wanted me to come down to the club as we knew each other from our Brighton days. He told me the ambitions of Dover. So it was an easy choice as I wanted to play regular football.

*BS*@Ori_Ar: Your targets for the season? Also, I had a great save with Dover at Football Manager a year ago.*BF*
MW: To go one better than we did last year. It will be tough but we have the players to do it. I’m more of a FIFA and CoD guy and haven’t every played Football Manager.

*BS*@PhilRiverman10: what aspect of your game do you feel has improved most in your time at Dover?*BF*
MW: A little bit of everything. I’m learning every game and training session to try to improve. Playing regularly is a key factor.

*BS*Following the success of Nicky Deverdics’ question and answer evening, goalkeeper Mitch Walker took the reins of the Dover Athletic Twitter account last Friday to spend some time interacting with the DAFC fans. Even Whites’ Goalkeeping Coach Lee Hook got in on the action, along with many Dover fans.*BF*

In this edition of the ‘Ask A White’ feature, Mitch reveals his favourite achievement with the club, who he likes to sit next to on the coach, his skills in the kitchen, and much more.

Below is the transcript from the 2nd Q&A Twitter session. Be sure to look out for an upcoming evening of the ‘Ask A White’ feature with another player ready to take your questions!

*BS*@GP__Tips: Mitch, if you were not a goalie what position would you play and why?*BF*
MW: Definitely a striker, as if you score a goal you is a hero. I beat Raggs (Sean Raggett) in a penalty shoot-out in training, so he would fight my case.

*BS*@DavyJoeGrant: Best achievement you’ve accomplished with Dover?*BF*
MW: Being the first team to finish 5th in the Conference South and get promoted the way we did. We were up against all the odds but we came out on top.

*BS*@jackosullivan01: What do you think of the club’s new training facilities?*BF*
MW: Very good. Some of the mud fields we were in before weren’t exactly the best. Also, we don’t have to strap our phones to our head to get some light at the new training ground!

*BS*@connorjwathen: What was the best game you have played for Dover?*BF*
MW: Tough one, but I’d probably say Sutton away in the playoff semi-final. I felt I made important saves. And to go on and win 3-0 was an outstanding effort by everyone involved.

*BS*@DoverAFC: Who do you sit next to on the bus/plane and why?*BF*
MW: Everyone, we all get along well. Although I try to avoid Tom Wynter, you always have to be alert around him!

*BS*@anthonyfuller9: If you hadn’t taken up football earlier what other career would you like to have taken up? (Not fishing either)*BF*
MW: A city banker. I got a C in Maths so I think I could see myself in a snazzy office in London somewhere.

*BS*@kalaharidave: We have the best 2 keepers in the league: what problems & benefits does that create & are you both happy with this?*BF*
MW: Honestly, it’s hard to keep 2 keepers happy. That said, me and Hooky get along very well (!!) Raffs (Andy Rafferty) is a top keeper and is capable of playing in this league and higher up, we get along well and push each other in training to get the best out of each other, which is healthy.

*BS*@jmpmnp: What do you think of all the money in the game now, from the top, down to conference south? Player’s perspective.*BF*
MW: It’s a little bit stupid, especially in the higher leagues. But that said, the fans and the public are what generate most of the funds available, so it will start to disappear when the public get bored of football – which will probably be never!

*BS*@pktsmith: I’m cooking homemade lasagne, what’s your favourite homemade dish?*BF*
MW: I make a mean steak and Guinness pie, and Spanish paella!

*BS*@GP__Tips: Mitch, as a player, is the prolonged transfer window something you relish or dread?*BF*
MW: In this league I don’t think it makes too much difference, But I’m hoping Arsene Wenger has a last minute trick up his sleeve!

*BS*@young_gun180: Top man. What I want to know is who travels the longest distance to play for Dover? And how long does it take you?*BF*
MW: I think Sam Magri, as he is Portsmouth way. It’s about 90 miles for me so around 1hr45 mins – 2 hours.

*BS*@dovermowl: Would you like to swap positions with Ricky Miller? If so, would you score more than he conceded?*BF*
MW: Definitely! I’d be like Dennis Bergkamp playing up front.

*BS*@leehooky: Is it true you have a wonderful coach and Dover has the three best keepers in the league?*BF*
MW: If you want a coach who can’t cross a ball & is due his free bus pass in a few years, then yes he is great!

*BS*@andymikey8: Who at the club has had the wackiest hair style?*BF*
MW: Orlu has a great afro, curly vibe going on, on his back! I think he conditions it to keep it looking fresh.

*BS*@jackosullivan01: Kids grow up generally wanting to be strikers – they get the headlines – what made you want to be a goalkeeper?*BF*
MW: My Dad and Grandad both played in goal and reached county level for Essex. So when I was young, I wanted to follow in their footsteps.

*BS*@peter_ray79: I remember, and watched you play for BHAFC, when you left, what made you decide to join Dover?*BF*
MW: Nicky Forster made it clear he wanted me to come down to the club as we knew each other from our Brighton days. He told me the ambitions of Dover. So it was an easy choice as I wanted to play regular football.

*BS*@Ori_Ar: Your targets for the season? Also, I had a great save with Dover at Football Manager a year ago.*BF*
MW: To go one better than we did last year. It will be tough but we have the players to do it. I’m more of a FIFA and CoD guy and haven’t every played Football Manager.

*BS*@PhilRiverman10: what aspect of your game do you feel has improved most in your time at Dover?*BF*
MW: A little bit of everything. I’m learning every game and training session to try to improve. Playing regularly is a key factor.

*BS*Nicky Deverdics took over the Official Dover Athletic FC Twitter account for the 1st Q&A session with DAFC fans, eager to learn more about their hero and the man who wears the number 17 shirt.*BF*

The event, called ‘Ask A White’, was a great success, with Nicky going over his hour-long slot by 40 minutes!

Nicky revealed to DAFC fans how he unwinds after a match, away day trip antics, his favourite match day song and plenty more.

Below are questions posed by Dover fans and Nicky’s answers:

*BS*@mattclements: What has been your favourite match playing for DAFC so far?*BF*
ND: The FA Cup last season at Cheltenham. Winning it in the last 10 at the end where our massive support was.

*BS*@peter_ray79: Hello Nicky, you’ve played for a few clubs, how is the team spirit/team bonding at Dover compared to other clubs?*BF*
ND: It’s good, there’s always banter flying about but that’s all it is, and all the lads get on. We’ve had no training ground bust ups so far!

*BS*@alexsouthey1: What areas of your game have improved the most since joining the club?*BF*
ND: Well apparently I score goals with my head now – I wasn’t aware of this before I arrived!

*BS*@LeeCPFC: Nicky, what’s the biggest game you have been involved in during your playing career so far?*BF*
ND: Well it was the first time I’d reached the 3rd Round of the FA Cup so that was big, But I’d say winning Scottish Div 1 with Gretna, with the last kick of the last game of the season. Absolute madness!

*BS*@jordandafcbaker: What are the team’s ambitions for this year?*BF*
ND: Has to be playoffs minimum & matching what we did in the cups last year. We know we have the players. It’s about properly believing it as a group. We aren’t far away.

*BS*@DoverAFC: What’s your favourite thing to do after a match?*BF*
ND: That depends a lot on the result. I’d say go out with a couple of mates but the gaffer will see this and think I go out every week haha. If we’ve lost though, I’m best avoided until Sunday haha.

*BS*@All_Time_Lozil: What helped you decide that Dover was the right place for you?*BF*
ND: Club made it clear before last season ended that they wanted me here & they ambition for this season. I wouldn’t have come back if there was no plan to have a go at it this season.

*BS*@CpSnuggs: You played in Iceland and the Faroes. How do the standards there compare with the National League?*BF*
ND: We’d batter both teams I played in. We’d probably let them back in it just before half-time though!! Seriously though, it wasn’t great – we’d win comfortably.

*BS*@DoverAFC: Do you watch/read Game of Thrones? Who’s your favourite character?*BF*
ND: I’ve watched a lot of series but GOT isn’t one of them. I’ve seen 5 mins of one episode and there was a little dwarf dude, so I’ll say him!

*BS*@alexsouthey1: What has been your worst injury?*BF*
ND: Broke my ankle at 16. I was trying to improve my jumping by heading the washing line in the garden. The ball rolled down the garden, I landed on it – game over! & I’ve had a grass burn for 2 weeks now.

*BS*@matthew_gerrard: Newcastle is a long way from Dover how did the move come about; did you know much about the club?*BF*
ND: My agent spoke to the club and the gaffer said come down. We absolutely love a trialist and the odds were one would come good, haha! I’d played a pre-season game at Dover in my Barnet days, but that’s about it.

*BS*@pktsmith: What’s your favourite food, drink and place?*BF*
ND: I just love food, but if I had to pick I’d say fajitas. Drink – I’d say red berry ciroc. Place – because I’m hardly there anymore I’ll say home – Newcastle. Or anywhere sunny with a pool!

*BS*@DoverAFC: If you could meet anyone famous and spend the day with them, who would it be and what would you do?*BF*
ND: I’d be one of Vincent Chase’s entourage and spend the whole day with Ari Gold.

*BS*@AndyMikey8: Who is the fastest player at the club?*BF*
ND: There will be arguments over this cos we have a few but from what I’ve seen I’m going for Ricky Modeste.

*BS*@CamillaAlice92: Which squad member would be the last one standing on a night out?*BF*
ND: Tyrone. I don’t know if he can handle his drink, but he’s the tightest man alive so probably won’t buy one!

*BS*@young_gun180: Funniest away day last Season?*BF*
ND: Can’t remember which game it was but one of the last. Wynts (Tom Wynter) took his tracksuit top off on the train and somebody *cough* Payney (Stefan Payne) chopped one of the sleeves off. The train erupted when he went to put it back on!

*BS*@NeilCare: SO GLAD YOU DID, but it took a while for you to sign a new contract in the summer. Any reason for this?*BF*
ND: I made no secret of wanting to play league football again, but I was also happy playing for Dover, so when things were taking time to materialise and the club had been really patient with me. I decided to re-sign so everything was sorted and I could focus on preparing for the season.

*BS*@young_gun180: Who would win in an argument, you or Rich Orlu?*BF*
ND: Orlu hands down, he could argue with himself. Even if I was 110% right and the whole world knew it!

*BS*@mattclements: Which current teammate do you enjoy playing alongside the most, and why?*BF*
ND: That’s tough, because it’s any of 3 – Murph (Tom Murphy), Payney and Modeste because they are the boys I’ve been supplying for the last year and lucky I have a good understanding with them all. If I didn’t, then I’d look pretty stupid at times with some of the passes I play!

*BS*@dovermowl: What’s your favourite River End song?*BF*
ND: You hear the crowd in games but don’t really register what they’re singing when you’re concentrating. Although I was laughing mid-game when they were giving it to Chester fans about being Welsh! Oh, and Murph’s song is decent!!

*BS*@anthonyfuller9: My favourite goal you scored was against Woking free kick. What’s your favourite for DAFC?*BF*
ND: I’d have to agree with that as well – especially with the content of the game as well. I’m been hitting them well in training so I’m fuming my last 2 have been toilet and have hit the wall!

*BS*@pktsmith: Who’s the longest in the shower?*BF*
Wynter. I’ve never actually seen him wash himself, he just likes to stand there & put everyone on edge! Haha

*BS*@JohnBurton987: Who would you choose for your midfield partners if money was no object?*BF*
I’d have to go for Iniesta – he could make my gran look a good player, and Modric for similar reasons. Their brains are a joke. We’d keep the ball for fun cos we’d be scrambling if we had to defend! Haha.

*BS*@saintsteve72: Are you buzzing for Bromley Away?*BF*
ND: Always! Especially now we’re starting to put things together. Positive result & we really start kicking on!

*BS*Nicky Deverdics took over the Official Dover Athletic FC Twitter account for the 1st Q&A session with DAFC fans, eager to learn more about their hero and the man who wears the number 17 shirt.*BF*

The event, called ‘Ask A White’, was a great success, with Nicky going over his hour-long slot by 40 minutes!

Nicky revealed to DAFC fans how he unwinds after a match, away day trip antics, his favourite match day song and plenty more.

Below are questions posed by Dover fans and Nicky’s answers:

*BS*@mattclements: What has been your favourite match playing for DAFC so far?*BF*
ND: The FA Cup last season at Cheltenham. Winning it in the last 10 at the end where our massive support was.

*BS*@peter_ray79: Hello Nicky, you’ve played for a few clubs, how is the team spirit/team bonding at Dover compared to other clubs?*BF*
ND: It’s good, there’s always banter flying about but that’s all it is, and all the lads get on. We’ve had no training ground bust ups so far!

*BS*@alexsouthey1: What areas of your game have improved the most since joining the club?*BF*
ND: Well apparently I score goals with my head now – I wasn’t aware of this before I arrived!

*BS*@LeeCPFC: Nicky, what’s the biggest game you have been involved in during your playing career so far?*BF*
ND: Well it was the first time I’d reached the 3rd Round of the FA Cup so that was big, But I’d say winning Scottish Div 1 with Gretna, with the last kick of the last game of the season. Absolute madness!

*BS*@jordandafcbaker: What are the team’s ambitions for this year?*BF*
ND: Has to be playoffs minimum & matching what we did in the cups last year. We know we have the players. It’s about properly believing it as a group. We aren’t far away.

*BS*@DoverAFC: What’s your favourite thing to do after a match?*BF*
ND: That depends a lot on the result. I’d say go out with a couple of mates but the gaffer will see this and think I go out every week haha. If we’ve lost though, I’m best avoided until Sunday haha.

*BS*@All_Time_Lozil: What helped you decide that Dover was the right place for you?*BF*
ND: Club made it clear before last season ended that they wanted me here & they ambition for this season. I wouldn’t have come back if there was no plan to have a go at it this season.

*BS*@CpSnuggs: You played in Iceland and the Faroes. How do the standards there compare with the National League?*BF*
ND: We’d batter both teams I played in. We’d probably let them back in it just before half-time though!! Seriously though, it wasn’t great – we’d win comfortably.

*BS*@DoverAFC: Do you watch/read Game of Thrones? Who’s your favourite character?*BF*
ND: I’ve watched a lot of series but GOT isn’t one of them. I’ve seen 5 mins of one episode and there was a little dwarf dude, so I’ll say him!

*BS*@alexsouthey1: What has been your worst injury?*BF*
ND: Broke my ankle at 16. I was trying to improve my jumping by heading the washing line in the garden. The ball rolled down the garden, I landed on it – game over! & I’ve had a grass burn for 2 weeks now.

*BS*@matthew_gerrard: Newcastle is a long way from Dover how did the move come about; did you know much about the club?*BF*
ND: My agent spoke to the club and the gaffer said come down. We absolutely love a trialist and the odds were one would come good, haha! I’d played a pre-season game at Dover in my Barnet days, but that’s about it.

*BS*@pktsmith: What’s your favourite food, drink and place?*BF*
ND: I just love food, but if I had to pick I’d say fajitas. Drink – I’d say red berry ciroc. Place – because I’m hardly there anymore I’ll say home – Newcastle. Or anywhere sunny with a pool!

*BS*@DoverAFC: If you could meet anyone famous and spend the day with them, who would it be and what would you do?*BF*
ND: I’d be one of Vincent Chase’s entourage and spend the whole day with Ari Gold.

*BS*@AndyMikey8: Who is the fastest player at the club?*BF*
ND: There will be arguments over this cos we have a few but from what I’ve seen I’m going for Ricky Modeste.

*BS*@CamillaAlice92: Which squad member would be the last one standing on a night out?*BF*
ND: Tyrone. I don’t know if he can handle his drink, but he’s the tightest man alive so probably won’t buy one!

*BS*@young_gun180: Funniest away day last Season?*BF*
ND: Can’t remember which game it was but one of the last. Wynts (Tom Wynter) took his tracksuit top off on the train and somebody *cough* Payney (Stefan Payne) chopped one of the sleeves off. The train erupted when he went to put it back on!

*BS*@NeilCare: SO GLAD YOU DID, but it took a while for you to sign a new contract in the summer. Any reason for this?*BF*
ND: I made no secret of wanting to play league football again, but I was also happy playing for Dover, so when things were taking time to materialise and the club had been really patient with me. I decided to re-sign so everything was sorted and I could focus on preparing for the season.

*BS*@young_gun180: Who would win in an argument, you or Rich Orlu?*BF*
ND: Orlu hands down, he could argue with himself. Even if I was 110% right and the whole world knew it!

*BS*@mattclements: Which current teammate do you enjoy playing alongside the most, and why?*BF*
ND: That’s tough, because it’s any of 3 – Murph (Tom Murphy), Payney and Modeste because they are the boys I’ve been supplying for the last year and lucky I have a good understanding with them all. If I didn’t, then I’d look pretty stupid at times with some of the passes I play!

*BS*@dovermowl: What’s your favourite River End song?*BF*
ND: You hear the crowd in games but don’t really register what they’re singing when you’re concentrating. Although I was laughing mid-game when they were giving it to Chester fans about being Welsh! Oh, and Murph’s song is decent!!

*BS*@anthonyfuller9: My favourite goal you scored was against Woking free kick. What’s your favourite for DAFC?*BF*
ND: I’d have to agree with that as well – especially with the content of the game as well. I’m been hitting them well in training so I’m fuming my last 2 have been toilet and have hit the wall!

*BS*@pktsmith: Who’s the longest in the shower?*BF*
Wynter. I’ve never actually seen him wash himself, he just likes to stand there & put everyone on edge! Haha

*BS*@JohnBurton987: Who would you choose for your midfield partners if money was no object?*BF*
I’d have to go for Iniesta – he could make my gran look a good player, and Modric for similar reasons. Their brains are a joke. We’d keep the ball for fun cos we’d be scrambling if we had to defend! Haha.

*BS*@saintsteve72: Are you buzzing for Bromley Away?*BF*
ND: Always! Especially now we’re starting to put things together. Positive result & we really start kicking on!

NULL

*BS* Book your seat on the Supporters Club coach to Cheltenham on Saturday 12th September

Adults Members £23
Adult Non Members £27

Accompanied Child (under 16) £10

DASC Lotto Winner Bradley Bowman

Departs Crabble @ 9:30AM

All coaches are covered by insurance, if the game gets called off you get a refund.
(Supporters Club Members only)

*BS*Please call or text Andy on 07934300335*BF*

*BS*Andy will be in the Centre Spot before & after every home game*BF*

*BS*Please book early so we know what size of coach to book as the larger one if needed may not be available later in the week*BF*

*BS*RULES FOR THE COACH TRAVEL*BF*

*IS*All vehicles are NON SMOKING
No alcohol will be permitted on our vehicles at any time (which means not just drinking alcohol but also taking it on the coach).
Any damage caused will be charged to the Supporters Club.
Any abnormal or excessive cleaning will result in a £50 fine payable by the Supporters Club.
No excessively rowdy behavior will be tolerated.

The Coach company runs a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY if any of the above restrictions are breached and any individual found to be flaunting the rules, they will be removed from the coach immediately, irrespective of the location of the vehicle.

It is obviously in everyone’s interest and to encourage people who are understandably wary about using the coach, that behavior is kept within the bounds of common sense.

Supporters Coaches are operated by the Dover Athletic Supporters’ Club and are in no way organised by or the responsibility of Dover Athletic F.C.*IF

NULL

*BS* Book your seat on the Supporters Club coach to Cheltenham on Saturday 12th September

Adults Members £23
Adult Non Members £27

Accompanied Child (under 16) £10

DASC Lotto Winner Bradley Bowman

Departs Crabble @ 9:30AM

All coaches are covered by insurance, if the game gets called off you get a refund.
(Supporters Club Members only)

*BS*Please call or text Andy on 07934300335*BF*

*BS*Andy will be in the Centre Spot before & after every home game*BF*

*BS*Please book early so we know what size of coach to book as the larger one if needed may not be available later in the week*BF*

*BS*RULES FOR THE COACH TRAVEL*BF*

*IS*All vehicles are NON SMOKING
No alcohol will be permitted on our vehicles at any time (which means not just drinking alcohol but also taking it on the coach).
Any damage caused will be charged to the Supporters Club.
Any abnormal or excessive cleaning will result in a £50 fine payable by the Supporters Club.
No excessively rowdy behavior will be tolerated.

The Coach company runs a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY if any of the above restrictions are breached and any individual found to be flaunting the rules, they will be removed from the coach immediately, irrespective of the location of the vehicle.

It is obviously in everyone’s interest and to encourage people who are understandably wary about using the coach, that behavior is kept within the bounds of common sense.

Supporters Coaches are operated by the Dover Athletic Supporters’ Club and are in no way organised by or the responsibility of Dover Athletic F.C.*IF

*BS*The first month of the 2015/16 season has seen Dover Athletic feature in 7 competitive matches including 3 wins and 3 draws, which sees the Whites in 7th place in the Vanarama National League.*BF*

*BS*Barrow AFC*BF* (A) – 1-2 Loss
The team and travelling fans made the 762 mile round trip on the first day of the season, but a mostly dominant display from the Whites and Nicky Deverdics’ spectacular long-range effort wasn’t enough to win the day as the home side came out victorious.

*BS*Kidderminster Harriers*BF* (H) – 3-2 Win
Dover had no time to dwell on the disappointment of the result at Barrow, and hosted Kidderminster Harriers the following Tuesday evening (11th August). Captain Jamie Grimes was up against his former team-mates only shorty after leaving the Harriers in May. A blow came for the Whites early on in the game when talismanic winger Tom Murphy went down injured after 20 minutes.

However, the home side rallied and finished the half strongly with two late goals. The first breakthrough was from Grimes, who towered above the opposition defence to head home from a corner. The second goal came from new striker Ricky Miller, who slotted the ball into the goal from an acute angle, following substitute Modeste’s cross.

The fans in attendance were treated to a highly entertaining second half, with the Whites hitting the woodwork, and the Harriers clawing their way back to 2-2 at the 70th minute mark. Dover demonstrated their ‘never say die’ attitude that night and managed to regain the lead in the 83rd minute thanks to striker Stefan Payne and went on to record their first win of the season.

*BS*Chester FC*BF* (H) – 0-0 Draw
With the first win under their belts, the Whites were in confident mood, despite losing two wingers (Murphy & Modeste) in the space of 2 days. The following Saturday (15th August) saw another home tie against Chester FC, who had achieved a respectable 1-1 draw against Cheltenham Town in their previous fixture.

The final score line in itself was misleading, as the match was very eventful. Newly signed 6ft 4in centre forward, Duane Ofori-Acheampong, made his full Dover Athletic debut in a shuffled Dover side, after injuries to Murphy and Modeste. The Visitors hit the woodwork on two occasions and Dover missed numerous chances to bag all three points in both halves, and were seemingly denied a penalty for hand ball. At the end, a draw seemed a fair result and heads turned towards a Tuesday night trip to Aldershot.

*BS*Aldershot Town FC*BF* (A) – 1-1 Draw
The boys in White were once again on the road from Crabble, this time making the relatively short trip to Hampshire side Aldershot Town. With a beautiful sunset behind the EBB Stadium, Dover started the quicker side, as has been a frequent occurrence this season.

Aldershot at times looked overwhelmed with the quick movement of strikers Payne, Miller and Ofori-Acheampong. The team were quickly rewarded for their play, when the deadlock was broken in the seventh minute by a wonderfully placed top corner shot from hot prospect and last season’s club top scorer, Stefan Payne. Payne used his skill and quick feet to turn towards goal on the edge of the area and fire the ball out of the reach of the diving Shots goalkeeper, showing his capabilities to the near 2000 people crowd. After a dominant 30 minute display, the Whites still only had one goal to show for, despite having several great opportunities to double and even treble their lead. However, it was Aldershot who got the next goal in the 37th minute, undoing all Dover’s hard work.

The momentum found itself with the home side, who came close to taking the lead in the second half. Jack Parkinson came on for Dover into the midfield to make his debut, helping the Whites to make a late charge for all three points. The sides had to settle for a point apiece, with both having reasons to rue their missed chances.

*BS*Altrincham FC*BF* (H) – 2-1 Win
Dover were unbeaten in three matches leading up to the home game versus Altrincham. Manager Chris Kinnear made Crabble a fortress during the last campaign and wanted to ensure that Dover’s excellent home form continued. As had been the case throughout the beginning of this National League season, Dover began the game quickly and wanting to do as much damage to Altrincham as possible before fatigue became a factor in the 26°C+ conditions at Crabble. Ofori-Acheampong looked to be in fine form, showing not only his aerial qualities but also his willingness to chase and close down the opposition defenders, something that the Dover fans were quick to warm to.

To the delight of the home fans, Ofori-Acheampong was in the right place at the right time to receive a cross from Stefan Payne as he opened the scoring for Dover off the underside of the crossbar. This was just rewards for the home side, having created many chances from the first minute. However, the sides were to go into the tunnel at half time all square after Altrincham equalised in the 41st minute. In the second half, Altrincham goalkeeper, Coburn, made a string of quality saves to deny Miller, Payne and full back Magri.

The Robins eventually succumbed to the pressure that Dover were putting them under, and the winner came in the shape of central defender Sean Raggett, who managed to smash home a loose ball, following a Dover attack. The final result replicated the same home fixture from last season and moved the Whites up three places to 10th.

*BS*Bromley FC*BF* (A) – 1-1 Draw
The Whites made the journey to face newly promoted Bromley FC, who gained automatic promotion as Champions of the Conference South to the Vanarama National League last season.

Dover, in their blue away kit, made a good start to the game and came close to taking the lead in the first half through Nicky Deverdics’ shot hitting the crossbar. The home team also looked lively, drilling an effort across goal, going just wide. Stefan Payne in the second half looked very dangerous, forcing the Bromley goalkeeper to beat out his powerful shot, following some neat play from the Whites.

Payne then came close in the 58th minute to breaking the deadlock with an audacious back-heel towards goal, which hit the Bromley post and went out of play.

It took a clever turn and change of pace from Ricky Miller to pull away from his marker and find Deverdics on the edge of the area, who subsequently curled a fine effort into the top corner of the goal, out of reach of the Bromley goalkeeper. It looked like all three points were on their way back to Crabble, however with a late period of pressure from the home side, Bromley earned themselves a penalty in the dying minutes of the game. Although Dover goalkeeper Mitch Walker valiantly saved the initial penalty kick, Bromley managed to reach the rebound and score to leave things level at the final whistle.

*BS*Boreham Wood*BF* (H) 2-1 Win
The final fixture in August took place on the final day of the month on the Bank Holiday Monday. Despite downpours of rain earlier on in the day, Dover hosted a side which had humbled Ex-Football League side Tranmere Rovers 2-0 earlier on in the season and achieved a credible 1-1 draw with promotion chasing Woking FC.

As has been a regular occurrence in the Whites’ August fixtures, the Dover boys started strongest and dominated the early period with attractive and invasive football. Dover looked to be opening the scoring early on with Stefan Payne being denied one-on-one by ex-Dover goalkeeper Preston Edwards in the 3rd minute.

It would be the away side who would take the lead unexpectedly in the 7th minute of the match, with a powerful long-range free kick, which Mitch Walker did well to beat out considering the wet conditions. From this, the Boreham Wood striker was first to pounce on the stray ball and make it 1-0, seemingly against the run of play. Despite this early setback, the team didn’t let this dampen their spirits and fought on to try and get back into the game.

Dover weren’t behind for long and in the 14th minute, thanks to a Nicky Deverdics cross from a short corner, Jack Parkinson headed home at the back post to level things up. This was Parkinson’s first goal in his first start for the Whites, in a reshuffled side playing a 5-3-2 formation. The impetus remained with the Whites and quickly Dover scored again to take the lead for the first time in the match. A Nicky Deverdics free kick from far out was struck powerfully and looked to be heading for the back of the net. Captain Jamie Grimes got the lightest of flicks to guide the ball into the goal at the back post. The Whites continued to play well and ended the first half strongly.

Boreham Wood in the second half looked a changed side, looking to catch Dover on the counter attack. Both sides came close to scoring; Miller and Payne for the Whites and a shot from Boreham Wood which bounced down off the crossbar and was deemed not to have crossed the goal line by the officials. The Whites hung on and managed to see off attacks from the away side, meaning that the side moved up 5 positions to 7th place and within 4 points of the Play Off positions. The win extends the team’s unbeaten run to 6, and manager Chris Kinnear can be proud of his teams’ achievements during the first month of the 2015/16 Vanarama National League season.

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